———————-
The writer on that site spins an interesting tale, but it doesn’t match with reality. For one thing, he quotes the definition of a COMPLETION from the rule book and then tries to apply it to POSSESSION, which are two very different things. Touching the ground does not establish possession. The rule book actually states that a player must MAINTAIN possession until they touch the ground. MD caught the ball with two hands, brought it to his body, and held it there throughout the process of going to the ground. During that entire process, all Tate managed to do was touch the ball with his left hand, while flailing his right hand as he tried in vain to strip the ball from MD. Touching a ball does not equal possession, let alone control, otherwise 1/3 of all receptions would have to be ruled “simultaneous” because the defender managed to touch the ball as it was caught. At no point did Tate demonstrate any control over the ball until after they were already on the ground and wrestling for it. Conclusion: There was no simultaneous catch. A clearly blown call, regardless of what the hack at coldhard feels about it.

]]>By: vikescry1http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/09/29/monday-nights-replacement-ref-defends-call-works-high-school-game/#comment-2033387
Sun, 30 Sep 2012 19:34:40 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=1338770#comment-2033387let this go already, signed packer nation
]]>By: liveonthepackerhotlinehttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/09/29/monday-nights-replacement-ref-defends-call-works-high-school-game/#comment-2033049
Sun, 30 Sep 2012 13:39:58 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=1338770#comment-2033049and how bout Pete Carroll jumping up and down on the field like a little girl….USC trash…
]]>By: vinsanitynowhttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/09/29/monday-nights-replacement-ref-defends-call-works-high-school-game/#comment-2032980
Sun, 30 Sep 2012 10:54:33 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=1338770#comment-2032980“The fact that he hadn’t risen to the NFL or to a high-end college conference in the past 34 years tells us all we need to know about his overall skills.”

Wow… So I guess the fact the author of this article never got a judicial appointment, has not been offered a job to do journalism beyong commentary on someone elses reporting nor a won a Pulitzer is all we need to know about his skills in his last 2 careers?

The cheap shots make you look petty Mike… Just stop

]]>By: mitchitizedhttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/09/29/monday-nights-replacement-ref-defends-call-works-high-school-game/#comment-2032941
Sun, 30 Sep 2012 06:21:36 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=1338770#comment-2032941“It was the most fun he’s had because he has been working as an official at the lower levels of the sport since 1978. The fact that he hadn’t risen to the NFL or to a high-end college conference in the past 34 years tells us all we need to know about his overall skills.”

You could be dead wrong in that one. I could easily triple my income by being an executive at a huge multinational corporation, but I’ve grown rather fond of my wife and kids and want to see them more than twice a week.

You know what happens when you ASSUME, right? :-)

]]>By: pigskinvalhallahttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/09/29/monday-nights-replacement-ref-defends-call-works-high-school-game/#comment-2032887
Sun, 30 Sep 2012 03:28:53 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=1338770#comment-2032887The real travesty of this deal is the NFL’s attitude. They were/are willing to overlook bad calls during the game. The fact is that games can turn on one play. Bad calls on O-holding (mostly non-calls) give O-lines an advantage over D-lines. Non-calls on pass interference give D-backs an advantage. Players soon figure out what refs are watching and adjust their games to take advantage of it. These replacement refs made poor calls throughout nearly every game, but the NFL was willing to ignore bad calls until a “perfect storm” happened. A call on the last play of a game that determined who won or lost, on a prime-time game (MNF). What a way to respect the game and its fans.
]]>By: pigskinvalhallahttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/09/29/monday-nights-replacement-ref-defends-call-works-high-school-game/#comment-2032882
Sun, 30 Sep 2012 03:17:13 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=1338770#comment-2032882Do all the cheeseheads who are in a lather over that call intentionally ignore the fact that one of the Packer’s earlier scores was largely due to another bad call – this one in Green Bay’s favor? What would have happened if Green Bay had won the game – would you Pack of hypocrites who are sending this man threatening phone calls be sending thank you notes instead ??
]]>By: contrasuxbalzhttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/09/29/monday-nights-replacement-ref-defends-call-works-high-school-game/#comment-2032815
Sun, 30 Sep 2012 01:30:43 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=1338770#comment-2032815scoobaj says: Sep 29, 2012 4:16 PM

It was the correct call when you see the local tv angle fox 13 got in Seattle, sorry America, you are wrong
_____________
You have got to be kidding. Seattle is right and the nation is wrong? Is that what you are trying to tell yourself? Get a clue.

That site is an oxymoron to its name. They are only good at one thing, spinning statistics to whichever point of view they want (kind of like both Presidential campaigns)

]]>By: ytownjoehttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/09/29/monday-nights-replacement-ref-defends-call-works-high-school-game/#comment-2032783
Sun, 30 Sep 2012 00:24:39 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=1338770#comment-2032783Everybody’s tired of watching the Packers in the playoffs. I’d like to see the Seahawks get in for a change. Thanks to the replacement refs.
And thanks for the bad call that got our regular refs back.
]]>By: kstreetdawghttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/09/29/monday-nights-replacement-ref-defends-call-works-high-school-game/#comment-2032741
Sat, 29 Sep 2012 23:13:32 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=1338770#comment-2032741The fact that this article states that it has been conclusively shown that Jennings had control first is complete garbage. This fact is in dispute. The call on the field said TD. Therefore, the video had nothing indisputable to overturn it.

For one to say that Tate’s control wasn’t enough or insufficient, is coming to a disputed conclusion. Fact is the refs really didn’t mess up the call of simultaneous possession. Remember they made the ruling at real speed and the replay isn’t conclusive.

Nothing the author of this article wrote tells me otherwise and the fact that there is a well thought out alternate view point written is pretty telling that simultaneous possession arguably occurred, thus unable to be overturned.

]]>By: hawks1124http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/09/29/monday-nights-replacement-ref-defends-call-works-high-school-game/#comment-2032634
Sat, 29 Sep 2012 20:32:13 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=1338770#comment-2032634They did review the play, but there wasn’t enough evidence to over turn the call. Teams get screwed by refs all the time, and any sportsman knows not to leave it in their hands. Most teams don’t act like giant babies wearing number 70 jerseys, even after being screwed.

One of the first things athletes should learn is don’t leave it to the refs to decide the game. No Single Play is More Important Than The Others.

]]>By: koenig61http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/09/29/monday-nights-replacement-ref-defends-call-works-high-school-game/#comment-2032607
Sat, 29 Sep 2012 20:18:04 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=1338770#comment-2032607you can neither have ‘control’ nor possession while the football is moving. if we have to go to super slow motion just to try to determine if the football is moving, and we are arguing over 1 hand vs two hands being control, then how can anyone possibly say with 100% certainty that its a interception? as the ref stated, not enough to overturn it. and yes i do believe if if was called an interception they wouldnt have over turned that either.

whats so funny is that all of these fans screaming its an interception, if the Losing team had been the Patriots or Steelers, they would be siding with refs and saying, yep definite catch, i saw the ball moving, and you can have a one handed catch.

i think that this is just like our jury system, where if theres reasonable doubt, then you have to go with what the ref called. and there is reasonable doubt jennings had “FULL” control, that the ball “wasnt” moving, BUT the two main facts we do have is both tate and jennings simultaneously had their left hands on the ball, and then both tried to put their other hand on it.

It was just a perfect storm, and a perfect reason to get rid of the replacement refs.

Like I said earlier, make the losing team the Pats or Steelers, and fans would scream it was the right call.

]]>By: scoobajhttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/09/29/monday-nights-replacement-ref-defends-call-works-high-school-game/#comment-2032605
Sat, 29 Sep 2012 20:16:33 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=1338770#comment-2032605It was the correct call when you see the local tv angle fox 13 got in Seattle, sorry America, you are wrong
]]>By: countyk66ershttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/09/29/monday-nights-replacement-ref-defends-call-works-high-school-game/#comment-2032498
Sat, 29 Sep 2012 18:48:27 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=1338770#comment-2032498The official in the booth chose not to review the play which was also wrong.
]]>By: rickyck45http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/09/29/monday-nights-replacement-ref-defends-call-works-high-school-game/#comment-2032470
Sat, 29 Sep 2012 18:27:46 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=1338770#comment-2032470I thought the catch/possession is not complete until the player completes the process. That being said its not a catch until the player hits the ground and maintains control….right? Can’t have possession in mid air. The problem is that the NFL needs to change some of the rules in regards to the replay. If its obvious that the wrong call has been made then they should be able to overturn it…just sayin.
]]>By: truths4allhttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/09/29/monday-nights-replacement-ref-defends-call-works-high-school-game/#comment-2032459
Sat, 29 Sep 2012 18:16:47 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=1338770#comment-2032459Sure, the replacement refs were terrible.

BUT Packer fans are pathetic in they hypocrisy. The replacement refs gave the Packers two major bogus Pass Interence calls against the Seahags, with one of the penalties leading directly to the Packers only TD. Why do we not hear about that side of the lousy refs making calls in favor of the Packers?

Packer fans are clueless since as Rogers said, the game should never have come dow to that one play. The Packers should have scored many more times to in order to win instead of playing so poorly that a bunch of errors by the replacement refs could have decided the game.

]]>By: ufullpjhttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/09/29/monday-nights-replacement-ref-defends-call-works-high-school-game/#comment-2032425
Sat, 29 Sep 2012 17:56:05 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=1338770#comment-2032425The “analysis” at “cold hard football facts” is an absolute joke. Obviously, there are a lot of Seahawks fans on here touting it, but the guy who wrote it is way, way, way off base. There are several other still shots which support a clear and decisive interception, and were available (I’m assuming) to him, and he failed to use them….

Reading his “analysis” was more like reading a paper by someone looking for points to support a pre-determined conclusion.

So, if you’re a Seahawks fan looking to read something favorable about the catch, go over their an read his take. Everyone else, I’d recommend avoiding it like the plague. It’s that bad.

This is not the first time a questionable call has decided a regular season football game. The Packers had many opportunities to put this game away and it’s their own fault that they didn’t. They shouldn’t have let Seattle hang around until the end.

Go back to the Pittsburgh-Miami game in 2010 and see what happened at the end of that game. The referee in that game was a Pittsburgh native and the end result could have changed the landscape of Miami’s season and ultimately their Head Coach’s job.

The beauty of a game-ending hail mary is that ANYTHING can happen, even a “blown call” by a ref. The Packers are 100% to blame for being in that position.

As for the play itself, I have been looking for this “control” of the ball scenario that Florio keeps talking about and have yet to find it. The photo in the original post clearly shows MD Jennings DID NOT have control of the ball. If you watch the replay, you will clearly see the ball still moving after Jennings allegedly gained control of the ball. All before he gained possession with both feet inbounds.

Packers fans will see what they want to see. Having a questionable call go the other team’s way is not unique, but for some reason, it’s such a major offense if it happens to Green Bay.

And to dogpile on these replacement refs is ridiculous. They did not create this situation. The greedy regular refs did. If not for these replacement refs, we would have all had to wait until this week for the NFL seadon to begin. Blame the regular refs for that.

And most importantly, blame the Packers for giving away the game.

]]>By: theandy59http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/09/29/monday-nights-replacement-ref-defends-call-works-high-school-game/#comment-2032383
Sat, 29 Sep 2012 17:22:33 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=1338770#comment-2032383When I saw the play I thought it was a no-brainer interception, but after viewing the video and the breakdown at CHFF, I have to agree that it was probably the right call…I think it was accidentally the right call because in real time, it sure looks like a pick. However, Tate had his left hand on the ball before Jennings touched it, and it never moved off his left hand. One-handed catches do happen, you don’t need two hands to have control. As the player were falling, one of Jennings hands came off the ball and the only reason the ball didn’t fall to the ground is Tate’s left hand was holding against Jennings forearm. As crazy as it sounds, if you look at the case made by CHFF, you have to come away thinking it was a TD.
]]>By: bnwpnwhttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/09/29/monday-nights-replacement-ref-defends-call-works-high-school-game/#comment-2032343
Sat, 29 Sep 2012 16:55:50 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=1338770#comment-2032343Go to Cold Hard Football Facts and get some actual facts.

Lobbing vitriol at a back-to-high-school ref from the upper floors of 30 Rock — one who’s receiving death threats in fact — is the real travesty, especially when you consider it was not too long ago that bloggers were considered the replacement refs of the sports journalism world.

]]>By: fanz928http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/09/29/monday-nights-replacement-ref-defends-call-works-high-school-game/#comment-2032340
Sat, 29 Sep 2012 16:53:40 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=1338770#comment-2032340Why are people still on his ass?
]]>By: claymatthewshairplugshttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/09/29/monday-nights-replacement-ref-defends-call-works-high-school-game/#comment-2032324
Sat, 29 Sep 2012 16:44:15 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=1338770#comment-2032324Some people are so stupid. REally wishing death on someone over a game? Morons out there. Anyway this ref is taking it in stride, and while they were in over their head they were put in an impossible situation. Thank the greedy owners for all this not the refs.
]]>By: ketch20toohttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/09/29/monday-nights-replacement-ref-defends-call-works-high-school-game/#comment-2032317
Sat, 29 Sep 2012 16:41:34 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=1338770#comment-2032317Ed Hoculi-Broncos/Chargers Pat Moorelli – Troy Polomalu’s “Non”-INT vs Colts(IN THE PLAYOFFS) Vinny’s Green and White Helmet scoring a TD and knocking the Hawks out of the playoffs(play which brought Instant replay to the league) Super Bowl 40 Defensive PI not called against 9ers vs Giants-IN THE PLAYOFFS(cost the Giants chance to win with 30 yard field goal) All sorts of horrendous game/season ending/changing calls made by the “real” refs.

These refs were in over their heads and did the best they could given severely limited prep time and no game experience. The blame goes squarely on the owners and “real” refs for their unreasonable demands on this one.

As a Hawk fan, I can only say that it takes VERY thick homer glasses to see that play as anything but an INT. As soon as the Giants line up for that game winning field goal, I will start lobbying hard to get this W reversed.

]]>By: jimcaldwellsuckshttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/09/29/monday-nights-replacement-ref-defends-call-works-high-school-game/#comment-2032275
Sat, 29 Sep 2012 16:12:02 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=1338770#comment-2032275He’s back where he belongs..
]]>By: j0esixpackhttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/09/29/monday-nights-replacement-ref-defends-call-works-high-school-game/#comment-2032274
Sat, 29 Sep 2012 16:11:38 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=1338770#comment-2032274Green Bay had possession of the football and the Seahawks had possession of the Green Bay player.

That’s the only way to justify it – and the ref didn’t signal TD until he thought the other ref was about to do the same (which he didn’t)

That being said, let’s not vilify these guys for taking the job that was offered. If they didn’t take it someone else would have and the start of the season could have been even worse. Hold Goodell and owners like Woody Johnson responsible for the impasse – not the replacement refs.

]]>By: sariff420http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/09/29/monday-nights-replacement-ref-defends-call-works-high-school-game/#comment-2032273
Sat, 29 Sep 2012 16:11:27 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=1338770#comment-2032273Yeah but MD Jennings was not the offensive player so your whole argument is thrown out. Read the rules.
]]>By: sariff420http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/09/29/monday-nights-replacement-ref-defends-call-works-high-school-game/#comment-2032266
Sat, 29 Sep 2012 16:08:40 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=1338770#comment-2032266Otis, go read the rulebook clown. You’ve obviously haven’t watched enough NFL games to realize one handed catches are made all the time . Who’s MD???
]]>By: solarryanhttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/09/29/monday-nights-replacement-ref-defends-call-works-high-school-game/#comment-2032218
Sat, 29 Sep 2012 15:47:50 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=1338770#comment-2032218Just admit that you made a horrible call and move on! In my opinion, I believe that he made this call because he saw the official next to him raise his arms and he thought he was giving the TD signal! We teach our children to admit when they make a mistake but yet he won’t do it. I would respect this guy (he’s not a man) if he just admitted that he was wrong!
]]>By: otissistrunkhttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/09/29/monday-nights-replacement-ref-defends-call-works-high-school-game/#comment-2032191
Sat, 29 Sep 2012 15:36:05 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=1338770#comment-2032191You can be a Packer hater..a Seahawk fan..whatever u are…you cannot legitimize the catch because you think Tate has his left hand on the ball and say he had “control” of the ball..put it this way…if MD was the receiver in this there would be NO doubt that he caught the ball with no control by Tate
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